Carlos May

Carlos May
Left fielder/Designated hitter/First baseman
Born:(1948-05-17)May 17, 1948 Birmingham, Alabama,U.S.
Batted:Left Threw:Right
Professional debut
MLB:September 6, 1968, for the Chicago White Sox
NPB:1978, for the Nankai Hawks
Last appearance
MLB:October 2, 1977, for the California Angels
NPB:1981, for the Nankai Hawks
MLB statistics
Batting average	.274
Home runs	90
Runs batted in	536
NPB statistics
Batting average	.309
Home runs	70
Runs batted in	252
Teams
Chicago White Sox(1968–1976) New York Yankees(1976–1977) California Angels(1977) Nankai Hawks(1978–1981)
Career highlights and awards
2×All-Star(1969,1972)

Carlos May(born May 17, 1948) is an American former professionalbaseballplayer. He played inMajor League Baseballas anoutfielder,first basemananddesignated hitterfrom 1968 to 1977, most prominently for theChicago White Soxwhere he was a two-time American LeagueAll-Starplayer. He also played for theNew York Yankeesand theCalifornia Angels.After his major league career, he played in theNippon Professional Baseballleague for theNankai Hawksfrom 1978 to 1981. May is the younger brother of former professional baseball player,Lee May.

Early years

Carlos was born inBirmingham, Alabama.He attendedA. H. Parker High School.

Major league career

He began his major league career on September 6,1968,but did not have his first full year until1970.In1969,he suffered a severe injury while serving in theMarine Reserves,at Camp Pendleton in California. May was cleaning a mortar when it fired causing a partial amputation of his right thumb.He won theSporting NewsRookie of the Year Award,but lost toLou Piniellafor theMajor League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award.In 1970, as the White Sox' full-time left fielder, he had a good breakout season,batting.285 with 12home runsand 68RBIs.However, the White Sox had a miserable year, finishing 50 games under.500 and in last place in theAmerican League,42 games out of first place. In1971he batted.294 with 70 RBIs while playing regularly atfirst basefor the only time in his career. He moved back to the outfield after an offseason trade brought superstarDick Allento the White Sox.

Throughout the early 1970s, May continued to help the White Sox improve as a solid everyday starter for them. In1972,he hit.308 and had 28stolen bases,which would both end up his career-highs in the respective categories. That year, Chicago finished in 2nd place in the AL, behind only theOakland Athletics.In1973he collected 20 home runs and 96 RBIs, which would end up his career highs in those categories.

May did get a crack at postseason play, but not with the White Sox. On May 18,1976,he was traded to the Yankees forpitcherKen Brettand fellow outfielderRich Coggins.The deal was made while the Yankees were in a heated pennant race. That year, he hit.278 and the Yankees went to theWorld Series.During theALCS,May went 2-for-10 with adoubleand awalk.In the World Series against theCincinnati Reds,he did not get a hit in 9at batsand ended up with a.105 batting average in the postseason.

He was anAll-Starin 1969 and 1972 and made the top 10 in batting average and stolen bases twice.

While playing for the White Sox he had the rare distinction of wearing his birthday on the back of his uniform, including his surname: "MAY 17."

In a 10-year career, he hit.274 with 90 home runs and 536 RBIs in 1165 games. He had 85 career stolen bases and 545runs scored.In 4120 at bats, he had 1127 careerhits. In 2012, May joined the coaching staff of theSchaumburg Boomersbaseball team, in theFrontier League.

Personal life

May worked for theUnited States Postal Servicefor 20 years as a mail carrier and clerk after playing baseball.He is currently a community relations representative for the White Sox. May is the younger brother ofLee May,who played in the major leagues for eighteen seasons. In 1969, they were the first brothers to play against each other in theAll Star Game,with Carlos representing theAmerican League(AL) and Lee representing theNational League(NL).

May is the only player in MLB history to wear his birthday on the back of his jersey by wearing No.17, which including the name reads as "May 17", when he began his Major League career in the White Sox.

External links

• Career statistics and player information fromBaseball Reference,orFangraphs,orBaseball Reference (Minors)